Google Fiber: Which Cities Will Get It Next?

Google Fiber is a disrupter in the Internet Service Provider (ISP) industry to say the least. Just ask Comcast! The threat that Google poses to all current major ISPs is already being felt. You can see why Comcast/Xfinity moved quickly to purchase Time Warner. They clearly see Google as a threat to their business in the very near future.

The very idea of providing fiber optic internet at 1,000 Mbps to millions of homes at very low prices is an economic game changer. Not only would it force other ISPs to increase speeds and lower prices, it would create productivity increases in business unlike anything we've seen. At least since the public release of the Internet itself.

Currently the only cities that have Google Fiber are Kansas City, MO, Austin, TX and Provo, UT. According to Google these 34 cities and 9 metro areas are next in line:

• Portland, OR: Beaverton, Hillsboro, Gresham, Lake Oswego, Tigard
• San Jose, CA: Santa Clara, Mountain View, Sunnyvale, Palo Alto
• Salt Lake City, UT
• Phoenix, AZ: Scottsdale, Tempe
• San Antonio, TX
• Nashville, TN
• Atlanta, GA: Avondale Estates, Brookhaven, College Park, Decatur, East Point, Hapeville, Sandy Springs, Smyrna
• Charlotte, NC
• Raleigh-Durham, NC: Carrboro, Cary, Chapel Hill, Durham, Garner, Morrisville, Raleigh

On the Google Fiber City Checklist pdf it lays out a bunch of information about why Google has targeted these specific cities and what things are going to have to happen before Google can actually launch Fiber in those areas. There's still quite a bit of work that needs to be done before these cities get Google Fiber but as we all know, Google moves quickly these days!

A Few Additional Predictions

Are the cities listed above really the only places Google Fiber will be launching in the near future? According to TechRepublic there may be some other cities that we need to keep our eye on. There are 5 parameters that are used in order to determine the best fit for Google Fiber. These parameters include:

1. Existing Fiber Network: if so, this makes it easier for Google to break ground.
2. Close to a Google Data Center: if so, this gives Google additional value to their search business
3. Population Size Range: Google is looking for cities that are not too big and not too small.
4. A Cooperating Local Government: permits play a huge role in whether or not Fiber can be launched.
5. Not in a Verizon FiOS Coverage Zone: Google doesn't mind competing with Comcast and AT&T. But Verizon is a bit different considering their popularity in the areas they cover with FiOS.

Based on these parameters, here are 10 additional cities that COULD potentially land Google Fiber as well:

1. Charleston, SC
2. Miami, FL
3. Houston, TX
4. Seattle, WA
5. Tulsa, OK
6. Cincinnati, OH
7. Chicago, IL
8. Minneapolis, MN
9. San Diego, CA
10. Denver, CO

The ones highlighted in bold are the ones we (TBC) predict will be next. What are your predictions?